For years now, we’ve been hearing that working longer and harder is the best, maybe even the ONLY way to be truly productive. I just saw another “rise and grind” post with the same message, selling the same exhausting pitch. And since everyone seems to be celebrating hustle culture, it must be the path to success. Right?

Uhh… no.

I think most of this advice is coming from a place of good intentions. But it’s easy advice. And not only does one specific work style not suit everyone, pushing yourself to exhaustion definitely isn’t the best option out there.

Also, how do you know that these “productivity gurus” are actually following their own advice? Or that they’re getting sustainable results from never taking breaks?

It seems to me that you can spend a lot of time feeling guilty or like a failure because this always-on approach isn’t working for you when you’re not the problem!

I know because I’ve been there. Before I developed exhaustion disorder, I was the queen of “productive” breaks – you know, the kind where you eat lunch at your desk while checking emails. I thought I was being efficient, but I was actually undermining my creativity and problem-solving abilities.

In fact, it wasn’t until I got sick that I was forced to completely reevaluate my relationship with rest. What I discovered surprised me – not only did taking real breaks improve my health, but it actually enhanced my work quality and creativity. Those solutions that seemed impossible to find while staring at my screen would often appear during a quiet walk or while tending to my plants.

I also didn’t feel like I was being authentic when I was forcing myself to power through fatigue and brain fog. And believe me, your body and mind can tell when you’re not honoring their natural rhythms.

Always remember that productivity isn’t about how many hours you can work without stopping – it’s about allowing your brain to work at its best, which includes giving it the rest it needs to process, create, and solve problems effectively.

What’s Not So Great About Working Without Breaks

Here’s the thing. Powering through work without taking breaks isn’t a good idea because:

• Your brain actually becomes less effective at problem-solving and creative thinking
• You’re fighting against your brain’s natural creative processes
• You’re more likely to make errors and produce lower quality work
• You might experience burnout and exhaustion (I learned this the hard way)
• You’re missing out on the powerful benefits of your brain’s default mode network (DMN)

Want proof? Research shows that our brains are actually more active and innovative during periods of rest. 

• Beyond the veil of duality—topographic reorganization model of meditation ¹Cooper, Austin Clinton et al. “Beyond the veil of duality-topographic reorganization model of meditation.” Neuroscience of consciousness vol. 2022,1 niac013. 11 Oct. 2022, doi:10.1093/nc/niac013
• Micro-refresh to Restore Intellectual Concentration Decline During Office Work ²Kitayama, Kakeru et al. “Micro-refresh to Restore Intellectual Concentration Decline During Office Work: An Attempt at Quantitative Effect Evaluation.” Human Factors, Business Management and Society (2022): n. pag.
• “Brain-breath” interactions: respiration-timing-dependent impact on functional brain networks and beyond ³Nakamura, Nozomu H et al. “”Brain-breath” interactions: respiration-timing-dependent impact on functional brain networks and beyond.” Reviews in the neurosciences vol. 35,2 165-182. 1 Sep. 2023, doi:10.1515/revneuro-2023-0062

So what can you do to maintain high productivity while protecting your wellbeing? Fortunately, there’s a better way. Instead of forcing yourself to stay glued to your desk, try incorporating intentional breaks into your workday.

Wouldn’t you rather spend your time working in a way that feels naturally energizing and actually enhances your creativity and problem-solving abilities? Well, now you can. And it doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming.

A Better Way to Achieve Peak Productivity

Here’s what I did to enhance my productivity and creativity instead of pushing myself to exhaustion.

Step #1: Understand the Science Behind Rest

I got clear about what actually happens in our brains during rest periods. Through my own burnout experience and subsequent research, I discovered that rest isn’t just about recovery – it’s an essential part of the creative and problem-solving process.

If you skip this understanding, you’ll likely feel guilty about taking breaks and won’t allow yourself to fully disconnect. This means you won’t experience the real benefits that come from activating your brain’s default mode network (DMN).

Step #2: Identify What Makes a Break Effective

I spent time researching different types of breaks and how they impact cognitive performance. I wanted to understand what actually helps our brains reset versus what just feels like we’re taking a break.

For example:

• I discovered that scrolling through social media or checking emails at your desk doesn’t activate the DMN – these activities keep your brain in “task mode” rather than allowing it to wander and make new connections.
• Research shows that physical movement, exposure to nature, and activities that allow mind-wandering are particularly effective at enhancing creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Step #3: Develop a Strategic Rest Routine

After experiencing both burnout and recovery, I developed a better approach to incorporating breaks into my workday:

Break Type #1: Movement Breaks Taking short walks or doing light exercise increases blood flow to the brain and promotes creative thinking. Even a 5-minute walking break can make a significant difference.

Break Type #2: Mental Reset Activities Engaging in activities like meditation, doodling, or playing music helps activate the DMN and allows your brain to process information differently.

Break Type #3: Nature Connection Spending time outdoors or even just tending to indoor plants can reduce stress and improve cognitive function. This type of break combines multiple benefits – movement, sensory engagement, and mental space.

Next Steps

Remember, true productivity isn’t about pushing yourself to exhaustion – it’s about working with your brain’s natural rhythms and allowing space for creativity and insight to emerge.

Check out some of my other posts about mindful productivity and discover how to achieve more by doing less:

• Meditation For Beginners: How Do You Meditate? And Other Questions 

Current productivity wisdom can often be little more than hustle culture messaging that doesn’t stand the test of time. Many of these approaches won’t just fail to get you where you want to go – they might actually lead to burnout and decreased creativity.

The good news is, you can absolutely enhance your productivity in a way that feels energizing and sustainable. You just need to understand how your brain works best – and permission to work differently from the “always on” culture.

Ready to Transform Your Relationship with Rest? If you want more help developing a healthier approach to productivity, check out my “How to Overcome Negative Self-Talk” guide for just $7. Learn how to quiet that inner critic that makes you feel guilty about taking breaks and develop a more balanced approach to work and rest.

Click here to get started on your journey to mindful productivity!

[Free Alternative] Or start with my FREE Self-love Challenge Workbook – 5 days of simple exercises to help you develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself and your work habits.

Questions? Comments? Drop them below. I can’t wait to hear about your experience with strategic rest and how it transforms your productivity!